Elizabeth Ihrke

Elizabeth "Betty" Ihrke, age 87, of Fosston, MN, and formerly of Lengby, MN, passed away on Thursday (October 2nd) at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday (October 7th) at the Fosston Baptist Church with Pastor David Smith officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, rural Lengby, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday (October 6th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Elizabeth Waling Ihrke was born on June 7, 1921 in Newton County, Indiana to parents Lester and Vera (Standish) Waling. Growing up, she lived various places in Indiana and Minnesota with her family. She graduated from high school in Brook, Indiana. She then moved to Chicago with her sister, June, where they attended Moody Bible Institute. In 1943, she traveled by train to Bemidji, Minnesota to attend college. She received her teaching certificate in 1945. Betty began her teaching career at Antell School in rural Lengby, Minnesota. She taught in various country schools in Minnesota and Illinois and taught at Naytauwaush School for 38 years, retiring in 1981.She was married to Charles Ihrke on April 26, 1946 at his parents home in rural Lengby. In 1949 they settled on a farmstead in rural Lengby where they farmed until Charles died on January 5, 1987. Elizabeth remained on the farm raising flowers and sharing them with everyone in the area. She was active in many area clubs and organizations, including the Embassy Community Center, Singles Christian Fellowship, Senior Meals, was President of the Fosston Garden Club for many years and was Fosston's Person of the Year in 1994. She was a long time member of the Lengby Baptist Church. She became a member in 1950. Her faith was very important to her and she practiced it every day. Betty touched many peoples' lives. She went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston at the age of 87 years.Left to mourn her passing are her children, Mary Peterson of Fosston, Frederic (Lynn) Ihrke of Winona, MN, and Charlene Ihrke of East Grand Forks, MN; two grandchildren, Elizabeth (Matt) Zasoski of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Bryan (Kara) Ihrke of Gilbert, AZ; two step granddaughters, Molly and Sara Smith of Winona, MN; and 10 great grandchildren.Also surviving are her siblings, June (Harold) Myers of Alden, IL, Arlene Wiersma of Harvard, IL, Marilynn Blank of Harvard, IL and Lester "Tommy" (Evelyn) Waling of Grygla, MN; and brothers-in-law, Arles (Margaret) Ihrke of Fosston, August Gitz of Shevlin, MN and Clifford Van der Linden of Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers, John and Morris; four sisters-in-law, Lillian Gitz, LaVella Choc, Phyllis Van der Linden, and Evelyn Waling; son-in-law, Marvin Peterson; and an infant granddaughter, Grace Elisa Ihrke.Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Lengby Baptist Church.Active Pallbearers will be Willis Ihrke, Edward Gitz, James Choc, Tim Balstad, Gary Bakken, and David Gitz.